Drain Maintenance: Stop Blocked Drains
There’s nothing worse than a blocked drain.
From unpleasant smells, to gurgling noises, to the toilet water rising just a bit higher than it should, blocked drains are enough to fill any homeowner with dread. Left unchecked, they can quickly turn from a minor inconvenience into a serious and expensive problem. Fortunately, with a few clever drain maintenance techniques, you can prevent blocked, cracked, or split drains before they start causing chaos in your home.
Use a Drain Strainer
Unsurprisingly, one of the most common causes of drain blockages is food residue. Bits of leftover food, grease, and even coffee grounds can easily get washed down your kitchen sink, gradually building up and causing slow drains or complete blockages. To stop this from happening, make it a habit to scrape plates thoroughly before washing.
A simple yet effective addition is a drain strainer. Placing a strainer over your plug will catch food particles and other debris before they enter the pipe. Not only does this reduce the risk of blockages, but it also keeps your sink and drain cleaner overall. It’s drain maintenance at its most simple — but often the most effective!
Try Hot Water Flushing
Hot water flushing is another fantastic and easy drain maintenance technique. By pouring boiling water down your drains once a week, you can help wash away any residue stuck to the inside of your pipes. This method is especially effective in kitchen sinks, where grease can cling stubbornly to pipe walls.
Not only does hot water flushing help prevent clogs, but it also helps eliminate unpleasant drain odors, keeping your kitchen and bathrooms smelling fresh. It’s a low-effort way to maintain your plumbing and prolong the life of your drains.
Invest in a Sink Plunger
As the saying goes, “a stitch in time saves nine,” and when it comes to drains, this couldn’t be more accurate. A simple sink plunger can save you from a major headache down the line. By tackling small blockages early, you can prevent them from turning into severe plumbing problems that require professional intervention. Keeping a plunger handy in your bathroom and kitchen is a small investment that pays off big in the long run.
Clean Shower Grids Weekly
Even the least hairy household sheds enough to cause drain blockages over time. Hair, soap scum, and skin cells can build up quickly in shower drains, causing slow drainage or complete clogs. Washing your shower drain grid weekly is a simple habit that can prevent these issues. Regular cleaning also helps keep your bathroom hygienic and reduces unpleasant odors.
Clean Faucet Aerators and Shower Heads
Faucet aerators and shower heads can become clogged with mineral deposits and debris over time. This not only reduces water flow but can also affect the efficiency of your plumbing system. Take a few minutes each month to clean all aerators and shower heads in your home. By keeping them free of blockages, you ensure that water flows smoothly and drains remain in top condition.
Maintain Your Hot Water System
Your hot water system is an essential part of your home plumbing. Blockages or debris in your drains can sometimes affect the performance of your hot water system, especially if sediment builds up in connected pipes. Regular drain maintenance helps protect your hot water system from unnecessary strain and ensures it delivers consistent, reliable hot water when you need it most.
Be Aware of Plumbing Laws
While routine drain maintenance is recommended for all households, it’s important to know the legal restrictions. In Victoria, the government has strict laws regarding DIY plumbing. Without a valid compliance certificate, it is illegal to perform underground plumbing work, tamper with gas appliances, or make alterations to cooling towers.
That’s why it’s always best to leave complex drain maintenance and repairs to certified professionals. Luckily, we have the necessary certifications and years of experience to carry out plumbing work safely and legally. Our professional drain maintenance services ensure that your drains and hot water system are looked after properly, reducing the risk of costly damage in the future.
Baking Soda & Vinegar: A Simple Home Solution
Sometimes, the best solutions are already in your pantry! Baking soda and vinegar are natural, safe, and effective for keeping drains blockage-free. Pour half a cup of baking soda into the drain, followed by an equal amount of vinegar. The chemical reaction helps break down residue and neutralizes odors.
For best results, leave the mixture overnight, then flush your drains with hot water the following morning. Performing this routine about once a month can prevent blockages and keep your drains and hot water system running smoothly.
When It’s Time to Call the Experts
If your drain has already reached the point of no return, don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. Express Plumbing offers a range of services to fix blocked drains quickly and efficiently. From high-pressure jetting to innovative CCTV drain inspections, we can identify the problem and restore your plumbing and hot water system to full functionality.
If you’re in or around Melbourne and need your drains or hot water system fixed fast, call us today on 1300 968 328 or contact us at here . Don’t wait for a small blockage to turn into a major disaster — trust Express Plumbing for all your blocked drain and hot water system needs.
